2009 Suzuki SX4: Doesn't Really Live Up to the Hatchback Promise

True, the storage in the SX4 is not the best in it's class. My Yaris is more versatile than our SX4. However, the Yaris doesn't have AWD.

As far as the Impreza, it's a fine car. However, I got our 2009 SX4 for $14,900. We didn't need the navi or the other doodads. I also like the look of the SX4 over the Impreza.

I like the base SX4 but if I wanted AWD I would get the Impreza.

Here in Canada, the SX4 starts around $16K. By the time you add in AWD and the required higher trim level you're only about $300 short of the base Impreza which is a better car IMHO.

Loaded SX4s don't make a lot of sense to me.

This is a big drawback with the Versa as well. It seems to be way ahead of the Fit in terms of interior quality, but not versatility (ironically).

Are you unaware that the SX4 Hatch's back seats also tumble forward? I own a 2008 SX4 hatch with the touring package, and when my wife and I recently moved, we could fit 8 moving bins in each trip. If you had tumbled the seats forward, you would have found enough room for much more than a laundry basket.

misterfusion, I think the Versa's seat is flat, it's just not level with the cargo floor. This folds to an angle.

The Versa's back seat is neither flat to the load floor nor does it fold level. Because of the gas tank and rear suspension, the rear seats cannot be flipped up as they can in the SX4.

I've played with both vehicles, and although the Versa (SL) is comfortable and well put together, the SX4 is more usable. Both have plenty of room and back seat legroom is not an issue.

id take an sx4 over the corolla hatch... i mean impreza hatch. the sx4's interior i think is a little better than the corol... i mean impreza's. and i like the sx4's "micro suv" design theme over the coro... i mean impreza's generec toyota... i mean subaru styling.

The SX4's rear seats tumble which should give a much closer to flat loading floor.

Altimadude, thanks a lot for the info! I've been considering downsizing to a small wagon/hatch, and Versa is on my short list (so to speak) because I like the creature comforts. Shame about that cargo floor though...

those yellow totes are so cute. where did you get them?

foxtrot685,

We all know that Toyota uses Subaru factories to make some of their cars. But I wouldn't call the Impreza a corolla hatch. They have differect platforms entirely. Actually the Scion xB is nothing more than a corolla hatch/wagon. In japan it's called the Toyota Corolla Rumion.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/xb-badge-redeux-toyota-corolla-rumion/

My old Mark IV Golf had the same problem with the folding seats. When I had to move houses, rather then fold the seats down and stuff everything in, I found it easier to load it all up in the back seat and hatch area with the seats up. I only ever put the seats flat if I was moving something long.

My MINI's back seats fold flat, which is great because trying to use the back seats in their normal position for storage is a pain, what with the car having 2 doors and all.

Well, as several have noted, I am mistaken. The rear seats in this car will fold up -- you can see it by looking at the cargo shot in this Edmunds gallery: http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/MediaNav/make=suzuki/model=sx4/year=2009/photoId=20153685/firstNav=Gallery.

The setup still isn't as flexible as the one in the Honda Fit, but it's better than what I reported.

Hi, Erin! Great great post!
As I don't have a working washer right now, I need to do my laundry at the laundromat.
The Suzuki seems like a practical, roomy car, so do you think you could post about how well it handles laundry baskets?
Thanks in advance!

Misterfusion--You're welcome for the info. I was thisclose to getting a Versa, but a used Altima proved to be too much of a temptation. The folding rear seat was one downside of the car that I was prepared to live with along with the fact that there's only one power point in the entire car (the latter was more annoying). The car is otherwise great at every-day living.

Does kissel1 get any certain enjoyment from posting pointless comments?

I'm surprised that he hasn't asked if the SX4 comes in silver with a black interior and available with a removable navigation system.

It looks like you got the SX4 repaired after that accident. What did that end up costing?

No a better question would be "are you considering adding the SX4 into the long term fleet?"

I think he's doing it as a joke. He has to be. It's just impossible for someone to post things like that otherwise. He says exactly what's in the post, every time. Except the manure.

jahfakin

those comments werent to imply that the corolla and impreza are the same car, their platforms are two different designs. it was to imply that the new imprezas are devoid of character and have a boring "appliance" look... much like that of a corolla which the front end of the new imprezas looks like a derivative of. the last gen may have had a pig nose with wings but i didnt mind looking at it because the pig nose gave it character.

He is trollin'. No doubt about it.